The IPI global network commends the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for adopting the Resolution on the Need to Conduct a Study on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Africa at the 88th Ordinary Session. The Resolution is an important first step towards strengthening regional efforts to address SLAPPs, which are increasingly being used to intimidate and silence independent journalism and public interest reporting across Africa.
IPI is pleased to note that journalists are recognised as one of the main targets of SLAPPs and that the Resolution urges states to investigate the misuse of legal processes against the media and other public watchdogs, strengthen measures to prevent abusive litigation, and ensure that SLAPP victims have access to legal aid.
SLAPPs are a present and escalating risk to media freedom in Africa and globally. Journalists covering beats such as human rights, corruption, and climate and environment have increasingly been forced to divert significant time and resources defending abusive lawsuits brought by powerful actors intending to harass and intimidate them, casting a chilling effect on independent journalism and public participation.
IPI’s recent report on SLAPPs against environmental and climate journalists in Africa found that these abusive lawsuits are a serious but under-documented threat across the continent. Weak legal safeguards, vague laws that can be misused, and the absence of dedicated anti-SLAPP protections have allowed powerful actors to weaponise the law to intimidate and silence journalists with little accountability. IPI calls on states to urgently enact anti-SLAPP measures to protect journalists, activists, and human rights defenders from vexatious litigation.
“This Resolution is a positive first move towards addressing one of the most significant legal threats facing public interest journalism in Africa,” says Dr Marystella Simiyu, IPI’s Africa Senior Legal Advocacy Officer. “We hope the study will build the evidence needed to advance anti-SLAPP protections, strengthen access to justice for victims, and ensure that journalists can report on issues of public interest without fear of abusive litigation.”